ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
Shri Manoj Sinha flags off Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Antyodaya Express
Minister of State  of Communications and Minister of State of Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha flagged off Antyodaya train viz. 22551/22552 Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Antyodaya Express  today through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan. Member Traffic, Railway Board, Shri Mohd. Jamshed, Member Traction, Railway Board, Shri Ghanshyam Singh and other Senior Officials of Railways were present at the occasion.
Speaking on occasion, Shri Manoj Sinha said Indian Railways has been making many efforts for providing connectivity all over the country and giving access to the countrymen along with making travel easy and comfortable. This Antyodaya Train will make it easy to commute to those travelling from Bihar to Punjab thus providing connectivity to the people of Bihar. The train is fully equipped with good facilities like Bio-toilets, mobile charging etc. making travel pleasant. He further said that, the Indian Railways will continue their efforts to provide safe and comfortable journey to their passengers.
The abstract schedule including timings, composition, stoppages etc. of the train services is as under:
- 22551/22552 Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Antyodaya Express 
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Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Antyodaya Express 
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Station
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Jalandhar City-Darbhanga Antyodaya Express 
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Arr.
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Dep.
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Arr.
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Dep.
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03.40 
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Darbhanga
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11.30 
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05.10 
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Jalandhar City
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10.00 
Ex-JUC: Sun
- One way distance: 1404 Kms.
From Darbhanga to Jalandhar City: 25 HR. 30 Min
From Jalandhar City to Darbhanga: 25 HR. 30 Min
From Darbhanga to Jalandhar City: 55.05 KMPH
From Jalandhar City to Darbhanga: 55.05 KMPH
- Stoppages: Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Sagauli, Bettiah, Narkatiaganj Jn., Gorakhpur, Sitapur Cantt., Bareilly, Moradabad, Laksar Jn., Saharanpur, Ambala, Sanahwal, Ludhiana
- Composition of regular service: General Coach -16, Power Car -2 = 18 coaches
- Primary Maintenance: Darbhanga 
- Nature of Service: Antyodaya Express
Ministry of Defence
LIST OF VCOAS COMMENDATION CARD AWARDEE
List of VCOAS Commendation Card awardee on the occasion of Independence Day 2022 is enclosed as mentioned below :-
Attached file :- List of pers being Awarded VCOAS Commendation Card Aug 2022.
____________________________________________________________
SC/RSR/GKA
(Visitor Counter : 2316
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri approves posting of Women Officers of the Territorial Army along the Line of Control
In a major development, Ministry of Defence, Department of Military Affairs, has approved amendment to existing cadre management provisions for Women Officers of the Territorial Army .
Territorial Army had commenced Commissioning of Women Officers in TA since 2019. Thus far these Woman Officers were able to serve Ecological Task Force Units, TA Oil sector units and TA Railway Engineer Regiment. Based on the experience gained during this period, a considered proposal was prepared to extend the employment scope further for women officers in TA which has now been approved by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri in April this year.
Women Officers of the Territorial Army will now be posted with Engineer Regiments of the Territorial Army serving along the Line of Control and as staff officers at TA Group Headquarters/ Directorate General of Territorial Army at New Delhi, as per organizational requirement.
This progressive policy measure is aimed at enhancing the scope of employment of Women Officers as also meet their professional aspirations since they will now serve and train under the same conditions as their male counterparts in a wider range of units and appointments including serving in challenging field conditions and in important staff appointments.
The Territorial Army is based on a Citizen Soldiers’ army concept and officers undergo Annual Training on basic military skills while remaining gainfully employed in civilian life.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Basic Amenities in Toll Plazas
On or after 1st April 2016, user fee collection was rescinded in larger public interest at eight fee plazas on National Highways in different states, which includes one fee plaza in Assam, one fee plaza in Chhatisgarh, one fee plaza in Karnataka, four fee plazas in Kerala and one fee plaza in Uttarakhand.
Further, one fee plaza in Rajasthan and one fee plaza in Madhya Pradesh have been closed to upgrade the existing tollable length of National Highways. Also, one fee plaza in Madhya Pradesh has been closed and the tolling length has been merged with adjacent fee plazas.
In Public funded projects, the construction of basic facilities such as toilets is part of the scope of the civil construction agency and not of the fee collecting agency. The same are provided as per provisions of the respective Contract/Concession Agreement.
Efforts are being made to provide toilets at all fee plazas under Swachh Bharat Mission and, as on 13th December 2021, over 833 gents and 837 ladies toilets have been constructed near the fee plazas.
Congestion at fee plaza causes traffic jam. One of the primary reasons for congestion at fee plaza was slow movement of vehicles due to cash payment of user fee.
In order to remove traffic congestion at fee plazas and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, National Electronic Toll Collection  through FASTag has been implemented on National Highways on pan India basis. Significantly reduced waiting time is being witnessed after declaration of all lanes of fee plazas on National Highways as “FASTag lane of the fee plaza” w.e.f. midnight of 15th/16th February 2021, thereby avoiding congestion and traffic jam at fee plazas.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Finance
Mr. Girraj Prasad Gupta takes over as the Controller General of Accounts 
Mr. Girraj Prasad Gupta took over as the Controller General of Accounts  in national capital here today. Earlier, the Government of India had appointed, Mr. Girraj Prasad Gupta a 1983-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service  Officer, as the Controller General of Accounts , Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance with effect from August 1, 2019.
Mr. Gupta has vast and rich experience in the government at the Centre. He worked at higher positions in the Central Board of Direct Taxes , Ministry of Rural development, and Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Gupta also worked as the Director of National Institute of Financial Management , Faridabad. As Additional Controller General of Accounts, he is highly credited for his work in development and implementation of Public Financial Management System , a backbone IT infrastructure for Direct Benefit Transfer  and other financial management modules in Government of India. Mr. Gupta also worked as Director  on the joint venture mega hydel power project in Bhutan.
Ministry of Culture
Sahitya Akademi announces annual SahityaAkademi Awards in 23languages today
Sahitya Akademi announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages today. Seven books of poetry, four of novel, six of short stories, three of essays and one each of non-fiction, autobiography and biography have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2019.
The Awards were recommended by distinguished Jury members representing 23 Indian languages and approved by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi which met today under the Chairmanship of Dr. Chandrashekhar Kambar, President, SahityaAkademi.
Seven books of poetry were awarded to Dr. Phukan Ch. Basumatary , Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya , Sri Nilba A. Khandekar , Sri Kumar Manish Arvind , Sri V. Madhusoodanan Nair , Smt. Anuradha Patil  and Prof. Penna Madhusudan.
Four novels were awarded to Dr. JoysreeGoswami Mahanta , Sri L. Birmangol Singh  , Sri Cho. Dharman  and Sri Bandi Narayana Swamy .
Six books of short stories were awarded to Sri Abdul Ahad Hajini , Sri Tarun Kanti Mishra, Sri Kirpal Kazak , Sri Ram sawroop Kisan , Sri Kali Charan Hembram and Sri Ishwar Moorjani .
Dr. Shashi Tharoor , Dr. Vijaya and Prof. Shafey Kidwai  have won for each of their works on creative non-fiction, autobiography and biography respectively. Three books of essays were awarded to Dr. Chinmoy Guha, Sri Om Sharma Jandriari  and Sri Ratilal Borisagar .
The books were selected on the basis of recommendations made by a Jury of three members in the concerned languages in accordance with the procedure laid down for the purpose. According to the procedure, the Executive Board declared the Awards on the basis of unanimous selections made by the Jurors or selection made on the basis of majority vote. The Awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of Award .
The Award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- towards cash content will be presented to the authors of these books at a special function to be held on 25 February 2020 at New Delhi during the Festival of Letters organized by Sahitya Akademi.
Click the link for List of Award-winners & Jury members
Ministry of Power
Power Ministry allows flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal for reducing the cost of Power generation
A Consumer friendly initiative of the Government for benefit of Electricity consumers
Step towards reduction in import of coal and Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The Government of India has enabled State governments and UTs by allowing flexibility in utilization of domestic coal amongst power generating stations to reduce the cost of power generation. States can use their Linkage domestic coal, under flexible utilization of coal, in the Case-2 Scenario-4 power plants leading to reduction in cost of Power. Entire savings shall be passed on to the electricity consumers.
At present consumers of Punjab, Haryana and UP will benefit from this. The expected savings in Punjab alone is going to be around Rs 300 Crores per annum.
This will also help in reduction in import of coal and is aligned to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It will also reduce the carbon emission as the coal will be used in the more efficient power plants with lower Station Heat Rate.
Under the flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal, states can also use their aggregated linkage coal ie Aggregated Annual Contract Quantity  in the power plants which have been established through competitive bidding under Case- Scenario-4.
The Case-2, Scenario-4 power plants are those power plants which have been bid based on the Net Heat Rate and the power generated from such power plants is supplied to the state itself. These power plants have been established through a bidding process under the guidelines issued by Ministry of Power under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003.
While transferring the linkage coal by the state, it may be ensured that these plants are more cost efficient vis-à-vis the state owned plants leading to savings in the cost of power purchase. The entire savings due to the use of such linkage domestic coal of the state will automatically be passed to the Discoms and ultimately to the consumers. These power plants will utilise the transferred coal only for generation of electricity for supply to the state.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar participates in the G-20 Extraordinary Agriculture Ministers Meeting through Video Conferencing on the issue of COVID-19 impacts on food security, safety and nutrition
Shri Tomar shared Indian Government’s decision to exempt all agriculture operations during lockdown period while adhering to social distancing protocol
G-20 agriculture ministers declaration accepted; calls for international cooperation, avoid food wastages, maintain food supply value chain continuity across borders
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar participated in an Extraordinary virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers today to address the issue of COVID-19 impacts on food security, safety and nutrition. He shared the decision of Government of India to exempt all agriculture operations during lockdown period and ensuring continued availability of essential agriculture produce and supply, while adhering to protocol of social distancing, health and hygiene. Shri Tomar highlighted that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of supporting countries to tide over this crisis in various ways and that agriculture will not lag behind, consistent with the needs of our citizens.
The G-20 Agriculture Ministers virtual meeting was organized through video conferencing by the Saudi Presidency to deliberate on the ways and means of ensuring continuity of food supply value chain including livelihood of farmers. It was attended by Agriculture Ministers of all G-20 members, some guest countries and International organizations. Shri Tomar welcomed the initiative taken by Saudi Arabia to bring the G-20 countries together.
Later, a declaration of G-20 agriculture ministers was accepted. The G-20 nations resolved to have international cooperation in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, to avoid food wastages and losses, maintain the continuity of food supply value chain across borders. They also resolved to work together for food security and nutrition, share best practices and lessons learnt, promote research, responsible investments, innovations and reforms that will improve the sustainability and resilience of agriculture and food systems. The G-20 nations also agreed to develop science based international guidelines on stricter safety and hygienic measures for zoonosis control.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Efforts to increase exports
During April-November, 2020-21, India’s overall  exports were USD 304.53 billion, higher than overallimports of USD 293.56 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 10.97 billion.
The following are some of the key steps taken by Government to increase exports:
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- Foreign Trade Policy  extended by one year i.e. upto 31-3-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
- Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit has also been extended by one year i.e. upto 31-3-2021.
- A new Scheme, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products , has been launched with effect from 01.01.2021.
- Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase FTA utilization by exporters.
- A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” to provide an impetus to agricultural exports related to agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and food processing sectors, is under implementation.
- Promoting and diversifying services exports by pursuing specific action plans for the 12 Champion Services Sectors.
- Promoting districts as export hubs by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district.
- Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India’s trade, tourism, technology and investment goals has been enhanced.
- Package announced in light of the covid pandemic to support domestic industry through various banking and financial sector relief measures, especially for MSMEs, which constitute a major share in exports.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Tri-Service Andaman & Nicobar Command inducts Advanced Light Helicopter MK III
In a boost to maritime security, the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter  MK III aircraft was formally inducted at INS Utkrosh by Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command  Lieutenant General Ajai Singh at Port Blair on January 28, 2022. As the rotor blades of the versatile helicopter cut through the air, aircraft were ceremonially welcomed into ANC with a traditional water cannon salute. The induction marks a continuing increase in the capabilities of the A&N Command in the past two decades of its raising as India’s only joint theatre command.
The ALH MK III aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and represents a tremendous leap towards self-reliance in the field of military aircraft, in line with the government’s push towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Till date, over 300 of these aircraft have been delivered by HAL and are being flown by the Armed Forces. Amongst its variants, the MK III variant is a maritime role variant encompassing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons that add punch to India’s prowess at sea.
The ALH MK III aircraft with its glass cockpit, Shakti engines, advanced Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro–optical payload and Night Vision Device will act as a force multiplier in keeping India’s far eastern seaboard and Island territories safe. The state-of-the-art aircraft has multirole capabilities including maritime surveillance, support for Special Forces, medical evacuations besides search and rescue roles.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt General Ajai Singh termed the induction as a boost to the security of Andaman & Nicobar. He added that the induction is a symbol of the country’s resolve of being self-reliant in its security and maintaining peace in this region.
ABB/DK/Savvy
(Visitor Counter : 1718
Transportation of essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food, etc in small parcel sizes is going to be very important during the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19. In order to fill in this vital need, Indian Railways has made railway parcel vans available for quick mass transportation by E-Commerce entities and other customers including State governments. Railways have decided to run time-tabled Parcel Special trains on select routes, to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential items.
Zonal Railways are regularly identifying and notifying routes for these Parcel Special trains. Presently these trains are being operated on sixty-five  routes. These routes have been identified to include:
i) Regular connectivity between major cities of the country, viz Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru & Hyderabad
ii) Connectivity from state-capitals/important cities to all parts of the state
iii) Ensuring connectivity to the North-eastern part of the country
iv) Supply of milk and dairy products from surplus regions  to high demand regions
v) Supply of other essential items  from producing regions to other parts of the country
On 14.04.2020 till 18:00 hrs, seventy seven  trains were run, out of which seventy five  were time-tabled Parcel Special trains. 1835 Tonnes of material was loaded, giving an earning of Rs 63 lacs to Railways in one day.
The total number of trains run till 18:00 hrs on 14.04.2020 is 522, out of which 458 have been time-tabled trains. 20, 474 Tonnes of consignments have been loaded, and the earnings have been around Rs 7.54 crores.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 216.17 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 19,61,896 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 46,748
- Active cases stand at 0.1%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.71%
- 5,916 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,39,47,756
- 6,298 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 89.09 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,33,964 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCoron
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Ex post facto on the proposal that has been approved under Rule 12 of the Government of India  Rules, 1961 for the issuance of order under section 73 of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 along with order under section 74 of the Act
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved ex post facto the orders issued by the President of India under Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 along with order under Section 74 of the said Act.
On the recommendation of Parliament, the President issued a Declaration under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and gave assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Accordingly, the former state of Jammu & Kashmir has been reorganized as the new Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the new Union Territory of Ladakh on 31st October, 2019.
After coming into force of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 with effect from 31st October, 2019, the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with Legislature and Union territory of Ladakh without Legislature. On 19th December, 2018 President’s Rule was imposed in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 356 of the Constitution of India. As Article 356 of the Constitution of India is not applicable to the Union territories the President’s Rule was revoked on 31st October, 2019.
Since the Legislative Assembly in the new UT of Jammu and Kashmir is not in existence, in order to avoid any constitutional vacuum, based on the report of the Governor of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, a Presidential Order was issued on 31st October, 2019 under Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 imposing President’s Rule in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
An order was also issued by the President in order to authorize expenditure out of the Consolidated fund of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir under section 74 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 on 31st October, 2019.
Ministry of Steel
Union Steel Minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh meets DG-IRENA Fansesko La Chamera; discusses issues relating to use of renewable energy in Indian steel industry
Union Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh today met a high-level delegation from International Renewable Agency  in New Delhi, and discussed various issues relating to use of renewable energy in Indian steel industry. The delegation included Director General of IRENA Mr Fansesko La Chamera, his Deputy Ms Gauri Singh and others. The Minister shared his thoughts on Hydrogen Mission, clean and green steel, decarbonisation and carbon-neutral future.
The talks also included developing the eco system for deep decarbonisation. Matters like, achievements of the world in the field of decarbonisation, research, development, international cooperation for technology, need for technical and financial help for establishing pilot plant to develop green hydrogen for green DRI, utilisation of renewable energy instead of thermal energy, need for studying lack of technology for making small industries energy efficient, and technological and financial help for establishing pilot plants for and carbon capturing were also discussed.